Proteas again rely on Faf du Plessis

Ben Horne

South Africa were rescued from an embarrassing first innings collapse at the WACA Ground on Friday by the same man who also saved them on debut in Adelaide, Faf du Plessis.

The 28-year-old came to the crease at 5-67 on Friday, and midway through the final session South Africa were all out but at least with a competitive total of 225 to defend.

Du Plessis was then backed up by fast bowlers Dale Steyn (1-21) and Vernon Philander (1-8), as South Africa responded swiftly after the change of innings to have Australia 2-33 at stumps.

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Du Plessis made 78 and a game-saving 110 not out in the second Test last week, and on day one of the series-decider in Perth carried his bat again with a telling 78.

It gave him an astonishing average of 266 after just three trips to the crease.

Du Plessis put on a crucial 57-run stand with Robin Petersen (31) on day one at the WACA, and continued that on with a 64-run partnership with Vernon Philander (30).

"He's quite a confident guy. He knows himself as a person and he backs himself, and it comes across on the field," said Petersen.

"He's been part of the squad for over a year now, so that does contribute to putting performances in Test match cricket.

"There were always people doubting him whether he could do it in Test match cricket. I think those doubts have been thrown out the window now. And it stems from a lot of hard work, a lot of thought, and a lot of mental adjustments he's done."

There was no faffing around from the tradesmanlike du Plessis, who faced 142 balls and smashed 12 boundaries, and has now batted for more than 11 hours without being dismissed.

Just four days ago in the fourth innings in Adelaide, he arrived at 4-45, and ended up batting for nearly eight hours to earn a remarkable draw for his country.

Du Plessis has an outstanding temperament which makes you wonder how it took him so long to crack the Test team, and why South Africa inexplicably batted him at No.7 on Friday.

As South Africa desperately try and guard their No.1 Test ranking from Australia, most didn't expect du Plessis to be their great hope.

In a team featuring superstars Graeme Smith, Jacques Kallis, Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers - it's the unflappable rookie who has stood up when needed.

When he marched out to bat for the first time in Adelaide, he feared being timed out after he nearly tripped over his untied shoelaces and dropped his box on the way down the race.

But three innings, many hours and several DRS reviews later, du Plessis has shown very little can interrupt his concentration.

If the tail hadn't fallen around him, he was on track to become just the seventh batsman in history to post hundreds in consecutive matches from debut.

With South Africa boasting lethal quicks Steyn, Morne Morkel and Philander in their arsenal - du Plessis has single handedly given the Proteas something to bowl at.